Greece in state of emergency as fire engulfs Peloponnese and Evia

Greece is experiencing the worst time of its recent history as from Thursday 23rd August fires cover almost the entire south-western Peloponnese Peninsula and Evia leaving 62 people dead so far and many injured. Many villages and forests were burned while Ancient Olympia, home to the ancient Olympics from 776 BC, was saved the last minute as huge fires circled the ancient site.

As the Athens News Agency reported, five out of seven prefectures in the Peloponnese, southern Greece, along with central and southern Evia were again ravaged by wildfires on Sunday (26 August), with 42 blazes contained overnight, including a handful of previously damaging fires in the greater Athens area, although new fires were continually erupting.

According to a fire brigade spokesman during a Sunday afternoon briefing, 63 new wildfires alone were reported in just a 24-hour period, of which 40 were quickly extinguished.

Ilia prefecture in the western Peloponnese is the worst hit area followed by Messinia, Lakonia and Arkadia prefecture. Another area which has suffered much from fires during the last days is Evia with strong fires to continue to burn even today (Monday 27 August).

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis in expressing his personal "grief and rage" over the wildfires, stressed that: "I am angered, as are all Greeks, by the fact that so many wildfires occurred in so many different parts. This is not a coincidence."

"The country is experiencing an unprecedented national tragedy, which cannot be described in words. A tragedy which, with grief, we are all together experiencing. The confrontation of this unprecedented situation requires a tough battle; a battle which, from the first moment, the state is waging with the support of hundreds of thousands of citizens throughout the country."

He went on to say "All the country`s prefectures are declared in a state of emergency ... For the evil to stop, and to start, as soon as possible, the healing ... The state is on alert. I call on all citizens to actively participate, with all the strength they possess, in this collective battle; a battle that must be won for the good of our country."

Europe has reacted quickly to Greece`s plea for help as fire-fighting aircraft from France, Italy and Spain have been deployed or about to be despatched to the affected areas. Specialised helicopters are also being provided by Norway, Germany and the Netherlands. A total of 13 aircraft are currently reinforcing Greece`s efforts in quelling the fires, in spite of adverse weather conditions.

"Member States of the European Union have once again demonstrated their solidarity with a country in a moment of crisis. Their quick reaction to Greece`s call for help will undoubtedly contribute to combating these forest fires effectively and hopefully prevent further casualties," said Stavros Dimas, Commissioner responsible for Environment and Civil Protection.

Arsonists are behind the fires according to the Greek government which offered a 100.000 to 1 million euro reward for information leading to the arrest of any of the arsonists.

An undetermined number of people are unaccounted for, authorities said, saying fears of an even higher death toll, while dozens of individuals, mostly in the southern Peloponnese, were hospitalised. Thousands of hectares of crops, pasture land and forests were scorched.